California Pavement Preservation Center

﻿﻿ The State of California, Department of Transportation (Caltrans) established the California Pavement Preservation Center at California State University, Chico in July 2006 and fully funded the Center in January 2007. Dr. Hicks, came on board in February 2007 as the Technical Director. In January 2009 Dr. Hicks stepped down and Dr. Mary Stroup-Gardiner was hired as the Technical Director. She stepped down in December 2009. Dr. DingXin Cheng has been the Director of the Pavement Preservation Center since 2010.

The Center works closely with the Pavement Preservation Task Group (PPTG), a statewide volunteer group consisting of members from Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), industry, various public agencies, and academia to help promote pavement cost-effective preservation. The PPTG is a partnering platform that includes all the organizations involved in pavement preservation in California.

The mission of the Center is to serve as a leader in a partnered effort between government, industry and academia to advance and improve pavement preservation practices through education, innovation, applied and practical research, technology transfer, and implementation. This includes developing and advancing innovative approaches to pavement preservation and pavement materials. Specific objectives of the Center include:

Serving as a technical resource for pavement preservation activities within the State of California;

Educating others about the benefits of pavement preservation in partnership with public agencies and industry. This would involve educational programs at California State University, Chico as well as delivery of short courses and distance learning opportunities;

Enhancing pavement preservation knowledge through research and training; and

Providing advice and assistance to others in establishing a pavement preservation program.

One of the stated goals of the Caltrans Pavement Program Steering Committee (PPSC) for 2006 was to establish a pavement preservation center. This center addresses critical pavement preservation issues, as well as asset and pavement management needs. There is an essential need to focus on pavement preservation to conserve the existing highway infrastructure and to proactively increase its longevity, serviceability and safety. The Center addresses the goals of preservation, safety, service and innovation. It provides essential guidance to the Department and the Division of Maintenance to support the goals of Caltrans 5-Year Maintenance Plan as required by Senate Bill (SB) 1098. This is in line with the Program Level-Action Plan (PLAP) strategic goals. The needed assistance includes providing technical bases for the use of appropriate pavement preservation strategies that can result in extending pavement life (SHOPP avoidance), and in determining the optimum timing and efficiency of strategies, as well as provide effective cost control methods and sound asset management. The Center promotes partnerships and strengthens the Department's goals in pursing ways to enhance safety and stewardship.

Caltrans officially announced the opening of the California Pavement Preservation Center, to be located at California State University, Chico, at the Annual Meeting of AEMA-ISSA-ARRA in Palm Springs February 2006. Caltrans stated the Center was able to provide unique help for those in need of related pavement preservation services by offering 1) expertise and exposure to national and international knowledge, 2) fast-track technology transfer, training and deployment of pavement preservation innovations, 3) timely solutions to pavement preservation issues, 4) solutions to overcome agency challenges and business practices, 5) solid working relationships and partnerships with industry, academia and other public agencies, and 6) credible technical advice and consultation on pavement preservation issues.

The purpose of the Center is to provide pavement preservation services to public agencies and industry. Unique services include developing educational programs in pavement preservation, providing training and staff development opportunities, providing needed technical assistance to public agencies and industry, and managing/conducting research and outreach assistance.

The Center works closely with the Pavement Preservation Task Group (PPTG), a statewide volunteer group consisting of members from Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), industry, various public agencies, and academia to help promote pavement cost-effective preservation. The Center also is a member of the Rocky Mountain West Pavement Preservation Partnership (RMWPPP) and works with the National Center for Pavement Preservation (NCPP) on special projects.

With the funding shortage for most state and local agencies, pavement preservation has become a cost effective way to extend pavement service life and reduce the deterioration of pavement. In summary, there are several benefits from having the California Pavement Preservation Center including:

Provides readily accessible expertise and knowledge to provide timely solutions in line with the Caltrans 5-Year Maintenance Plan

Acts as credible third party

Promotes the deployment of innovation and technology transfer - thinking "outside the box"

Streamlines the contracting and the business practices for pavement preservation guidance

Enhances safety by promoting proper and durable strategies that result in decreased exposure to traffic by workers, and less hazards to the motorist

Increases efficiency with the use of the proper timing of strategies and quantifying performance and cost of pavement preservation strategies

Acts as a persistent advocate for the goals of preservation, innovation, safety and serviceability

Memorandums of Understanding have been signed with CSU Long Beach and Cal Poly Pomona for their participation as satellite center locations in Southern California. CSU Chico, CSU Long Beach, and Cal Poly Pomona have a number of mutual research interests and academic objectives in the area of pavement preservation. Their cooperative collaboration will provide a wider range of benefits and areas of expertise that will be mutually beneficial in meeting the overall Center objectives goals.

Announcements

2015 CP2 Center Open House and Patrons Meeting

California Pavement Preservation Center will host a Open House and Patrons Meeting on March 19, 2015. We have made significant improvement on our projects and laboratory facility since our last open house in 2013.

We have invited our funding agencies to participate this meeting. Tony Taraves, chief of division of maintenance, and Jesse Bhuller, the new State Pavement Engineer of Caltrans will give their view of the pavement preservation and partnership with the Center at the meeting.

We welcome our patrons and industry friends to join this meeting.

2014 Tire Conference by CalRecycle

CalRecycle hosted the 2014 Tire Conference at the Holiday Inn in Sacramento on April 23-24, 2014. The 2014 Tire Conference, California’s Tire Program - Rolling into the Future, is a must-do for anyone with an interest in waste tire management and recycling in California.

Upcoming Events

APA is running

The Asphalt Pavement Analyzer can study the rutting potential, moisture susceptibility, and compare fatigue characteristics of asphalt concrete and their surface treatments. You can view a short video by clicking HERE.